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Council Class of 2019 take their seats

By: Columba O'Hare

Published: 22 May 2019

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council held their fifth Annual General Meeting this week. Councillor Charlie Casey was elected as Chairperson and Councillor Terry Andrews as Deputy Chairperson at the Council’s fifth Annual General Meeting held on Monday 20 May.

At the first meeting of the newly formed Council following Council Elections on May 2, 41 members deemed elected took their seats as follows: Sinn Féin 16, SDLP 11, Independent 5, UUP 4, DUP 3 and Alliance 2.

The newly elected Newry, Mourne and Down District Council attend their first meeting at Monday’s AGM. Included are new Chairperson Councillor Charlie Casey and Deputy Chairperson Councillor Terry Andrews. (Missing is Councillor Roisin Mulgrew.)

Outgoing Chair Mark Murnin thanked members and Council officers for their support over the past year.

“We had over 600 events throughout the year and in that, 29 nights were spent abroad in China, Italy, France, Spain, Germany and USA also representing our Council,” he said. “We had so many highlights, and to give you a small flavour of them – starting off my year and near the end of the year was the time spent with the Special Olympians in both Downpatrick and Newry. They represented the district so well at an Irish level and again at the World level in Abu Dhabi, bringing back medals.

“A great responsibility comes with being a councillor and as you strive to make this district the number one place to do business and set up a home, it is worth remembering that those across the Chamber are not necessarily the enemy – you all must work together for the betterment of our district and see what will happen in this next term.”

Mr Murnin also urged councillors to take seriously the impact of climate change locally, pointing out that it was a factor taken seriously by international investors.

Offering his congratulations to Cllr Casey newly appointed Deputy Chairperson Councillor Terry Andrews said “I would also like to pay tribute to our outgoing Chairperson Mark Murnin and Deputy Chairperson Oksana McMahon for all their hard work, dedication and professionalism in carrying out their roles,” he said. “Words cannot describe how I feel at this moment – honoured, elated, but at the same time humbled at being entrusted with the role and responsibilities as your Deputy Chairperson for the year ahead. I will try to do my best for everyone. I feel so passionate about helping people with disabilities and promoting good mental health in our society, amongst other matters, which are subjects close to my heart. I will do what I can to champion these causes over the coming months.”

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